Page 14 of The Wedding Favor

“Sorry.” I scrambled back as much as I could. “About that favor…”

He shoved his hands in his pockets. Shadows fell across his face, making it impossible to see his expression. “Yeah?”

“I know last night was a little… weird.”

“Nah, I meet women in supply closets all the time.”

“About the wedding date… thing… you coming with me… It was very kind of you to offer, but I won’t hold you to that.”

He studied me in a quiet, still way that was both unnerving and calming, like he was thinking about what I’d said instead of pretending he had. “I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t mean it.”

“We barely know each other.”

He shrugged. “We’ve got time. We’ll get to know each other.”

I blew out a breath. “Are you sure?”

“Do you have any other prospects to take you?”

“I could find someone else.” Optimistic at best. “Or go alone.” Please don’t make me go alone.

“Let me ask you a question. What’s the whole point of taking me with you?”

“I mean, no one wants to show up at their ex’s wedding without a date.”

“Fair point. But why me specifically?”

“You offered?”

“You accepted. Why?”

“You’re… you. Aidan is not… you. You’re complete opposites.” I waved a hand. “And I want him and everyone else to see I’m dating someone who is so unlike him, I have obviously moved on. I want them to know I’m not in love with him anymore. Because I’m not. I think.”

There had to be voodoo in this room; my mouth could not stop confessing.

“I know that’s putting a lot on you, a practical stranger, so I’m giving you an out. You don’t have to go. You should take it because this wedding is going to be a disaster, I know it is.”

He shifted forward out of the shadows. With a thoughtful expression, he watched me for a long, silent moment. I steeled myself for the disappointment.

“I’m going.”

I slumped, quite suddenly overcome with relief. I really, really, really wanted Abe to go to this thing with me. “Thank you.”

He rested his hand on the doorknob. “What time are we looking at your car? When are you off?”

“Two, but my ride won’t be here until about three so if you want to meet me at our house at about three thirty then⁠—”

“How about I just pick you up at two?”

“Oh. Um, sure.”

“Great, I’ll see you then.” He flashed a smile. “I guess you’ll owe me two favors now.”

FIVE

“I was a small town girl with big city dreams.”

—excerpt from the unpublished memoir,